Monty Python Members To Hold Reunion, Receive Special BAFTA Award At The Ziegfeld Theater 10/15

Monty Python founding members John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin will gather for a reunion event at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on October 15, according to published reports.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will honor the Monty Python comedy team with a special award for their contribution to film and television during the official 40th anniversary Monty Python reunion event co-hosted by the Independent Film Channel (IFC), and will follow a screening of "Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)."

"I believe these trinkets are more important than people think," said Python co-founder John Cleese, who formed the world-renowned troupe along with Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and the late Graham Chapman.

Following the film, the Python members will take part in a Q&A session. Monty Python's sixth founder & member, Graham Chapman - who died in 1989 - will, in some form, join the other members for the 40th anniversary event, according to the New York Times.

"It promises to be a rare and memorable occasion bringing the hugely talented Monty Python team together again, and we feel that the Special Award is a fitting tribute to this much-loved and singularly British institution," said BAFTA chairman David Parfitt.

On Oct. 18, "Monty Python: Almost the Truth" will have its premiere on IFC. The documentary will be shown in its 6-hour entirety.

Monty Python created the influential British television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" which first aired in 1969, and went on to make popular movies including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Monty Python's Life of Brian."

MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, a musical version of 'Holy Grail', ran on Broadway Feb 14, 2005 through Jan 11, 2009. The musical officially opened on Mar 17, 2005. SPAMALOT played 34 previews and 1575 total performances. A national tour of the show has been traveling the United States, and plays through October 18.